Clasp or connector for watch bracelets or the like



C. H. KESTENMAN Dec. 30, 1941.

CLASP OR CONNECTOR FOR WATCH BRACELETS OR THE LIKE Filed Aug. 2, 1940 Patented Dec. 30, 1941 UNITED STATES CLASP OR CONNECTOR FOR. WATCH BRACELETS OR THE LIKE Charles H. Kestenman, Providence, R. I., assignor to Kestenman Bros. Mfg. 00., Providence, R. I., a corporation of Rhode Island Application August 2, 1940, Serial No. 349,639

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in buckles, clasps or connectors for watch-bracelets and the like, and more particularly to adjustable clasps of the extension type having articulated sections adapted to be folded into overlying nested relationship with an extension member slidable into the folded sections to adjust the length of the bracelet to fit the wrist of the wearer.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a clasp of the type indicated having a single pair of cooperating detents for positively latching the articulated sections in folded relationship and the slidable extension member in adjusted position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp having latching detents of the type indicated which permit the folding of the sections into nested relationship and adjustment of the extension member into the clasp while preventing unfolding of the sections or movement of the extension member out of the clasp until the detents are released manually.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp of the type indicated having a detent element on one of the end sections provided with locking shoulders inclined in two angularly-related planes for engagement with detent-shoulders on the extension member to positively retain the latter against movement in two directions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp of the type indicated having latching detents for positively latching the parts and manually-operable means for releasing the detents with facility and convenience.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a clasp of the type indicated which is of relatively simple construction to adapt it for economical manufacture and one which is efiicient in performing its intended functions.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred form of construction of the clasp, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective View showing a twopart bracelet chain or linkage having its ends fastened together by the present improved extensible clasp or connector;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan View of the clasp with its sections shown in extended relationship;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational View of the clasp showing the manner of folding the articulated sections one over the other;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the clasp;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the clasp shown with its parts in folded nested relationship and the extension member in its outermost position;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5 showing the cooperating detents on the base member and extension member for positively latching the foldable members in nested relationship;

Fig. 7 is a part sectional plan View showing the engagement of the cooperating detents to positively latch the extension member against movement outwardly of the clasp;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 88 of Fig. '7 showing the manually-operable finger-piece for disengaging the detents;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the base member showing the construction of the inclined detent-lugs thereon;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the extension member shown in inverted position and illustrating the apertured flange which cooperates with the angularly-related locking shoulders of the detent-lugs;

Fig. 11 is a perspective View of the cover member shown in inverted position and illustrating the longitudinally-extending rib on one of its side walls and the slot in its opposite side wall; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the base member or section of the clasp.

The present improved extensible clasp or fastening device 2 is shown in Fig. l as applied to use with a two-part bracelet 3 and 4 composed of articulated links, but in other cases it may be employed with a fabric or leather strap. The term strap is therefore herein employed in a generic sense to designate any such form of band or bracelet. The clasp may comprise three cooperating extension sections; namely, a base element 5, an intermediate connecting element 6 and a top element or cover 1. These members may be constructed as stampings struck up from sheet-metal stock and curved to conform to the contour of the wrist of the wearer.

The base member or section 5 is of troughshape, being constituted by a bottom plate I!) having side walls or flanges ll folded upwardly therefrom. At one end the plate [0 extends beyond the ends of the flanges II and is curled around to provide a loop l2 for connection with the crossbar of the end link of the bracelet section 3. At the opposite end of the base member 5 the side flanges II are apertured to receive the laterally-projecting lugs l3 at the end of the connecting element 6.

The connecting member 6 may consist of a metal strip folded to substantially ribbed or channel-shape throughout the greater portion of its length with its edges I! flanged outwardly as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8. The end portions of the strip, however, remain fiat to adapt them for connection with the base member 5 and cover member 1 respectively. The end of the connecting member 6 opposite the end having the laterally-projecting lugs I3 is curled to form a connecting loop I8.

The upper member or cover 7 is constituted by a top plate 2| having side flanges 22 bent downwardly therefrom with narrower flanges 23 bent inwardly at the marginal edges of the sides. The top face of the plate portion 2I may be of any artistic contour and embellished with suitable engraving or the like if desired. The looped end I8 of the intermediate member 6 fits Within one end of the cover member 1 between the side flanges 22 and is attached thereto by means of a pivot-pin 24 extending between the flanges. As illustrated in Fig. 11, one of the side flanges 22 of the cover 1 is indented to provide a longitudinally-extending rib 25. while its opposite side wall is provided with a longitudinally-extending slot 26. The rib 25 and slot 26 provide a guideway for a slidable extension member 2!, later to be described in detail, which has a portion overlying the rib 25 at one side and a laterallyextending finger-piece 28 projecting through the slot 26 at the other side of the cover I. The side flanges 22 of the cover I have reduced end-fingers or lugs 29 which are bent inwardly to underlie the extension member 2?, as illustrated most clearly in Fig. 3, whereby to furnish further support for the latter. The outer end of the extension member 21 is connected to the crossbar of the end link of the bracelet section 4, by means of a connecting loop- 30.

As thus far described the construction and arrangement of the foldable sections 5, 6 and 'I are somewhat similar to previous devices used in the art. By unfolding the articulated sections of the clasp the strap or bracelet may be lengthened to adapt it to be slipped over the hand of the wearer without requiring disconnection of the ends of the strap. The articulated sections of-previouslyused extensible clasps are usually held in folded, nested relationship by means of friction detents. Such prior art clasps are also sometimes made adjustable by providing pawl-and-ratchet means for permitting the extension member to be slid into the clasp while preventing it from sliding outwardly frmo the clasp. In such prior art constructions separate pairs of detent means are usually provided for retaining the foldable members in nested relationship and the extension member in adjusted position.

In accordance with the present invention a single. pair of cooperating detents 34.and 35 or two series of the same may serve the double function of positively latching the articulated sections 5, 6 and l in folded nested relationship and latching the extension member 21 in adjusted position in the cover member I. As herein shown the detent isin the form of a projection or lug 34 on the inner face of one of the side walls I I of the base member 5, being constructed with two inclined locking shoulders 36 and 31 arranged in angularly-related planes and one of the inclined shoulders 36 being substantially parallel to the bottom plate I while the other shoulder 3'! extends at right-angles thereto. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the detent 34 is of triangular shape and formed by two right-angular slits in the side wall II of the member with the material between the slits bent or folded inwardly from a base line between the ends of the slits extending angularly with respect to the bottom plate l0. Thus the lug 34 is gradually inclined from the surface of the inside face of the side wall II of the base member 5 above the lug to the edge of the locking shoulder 36. and th lug is also gradually inclined from the surface of the side wall to the edge of the inclined shoulder 31. In other words, the lug 34 is gradually inclined downwardly and to the left, as viewed in Fi 3, and thus it terminates in' the right-angular looking shoulders 36 and 31. Although a single lug 34 may be sufilcient, as herein illustrated a series of such lugs are arranged in spaced relationship on the side wall II of the base member 5. Preferably, the side wall II of the base member 5 opposite the wall having the lugs 34 is indented to provide a longitudinally-extending rib 38. As will be noted by reference to Fig. 12, the rib 38 extends through a portion only of the length of the side wall I I for a purpose as will later appear.

The opposite detent 35 is formed as an integral part of the slidable extension member 21. The extension member 21 is in the form of a strip or plate of resilient metal and bifurcated throughout the greater portion of its length to provide spaced spring-arms M and 42, see Fig. 10. At one end the extension member 21 i recessed' to provide a crossbar 40 for connection with the looped connecting member 30 at the end of the bracelet section 4, see Fig. 1. As explained above, the extension member 21 is slidably mounted in the cover member I with one side guided by the longitudinal rib 25 and its opposite side guided by the finger-piece 28 which is formed as an integral part of the extension member with its outer end bent around to provide a rounded knob 39.

Depending from the inside edge of the springarm M of the extension member 21 is the detent 35 in the form of a flange attached thereto or formed integral therewith. The detent-flange 35- has a series of rectangular apertures43 formed therein to provide right-angular locking edges 44 and 45 for cooperation with the locking shoulders 36 and 31 of the detent-lug or lugs 34 on the base member 5. It will be understood that if a single locking lug 34 is provided on the base member 5 a greater number of the square holes 43 would be provided in the detent-flange Whereas if a plurality of the detent-lugs 34 are provided only one of the square holes 43 need be provided on the detent-flange 35. A herein illustrated a series of detent-lugs 34 are provided on the bottom member 5 and a series of square holes 43 are provided in the detent-flange 35, Depending from the spring-arm 42 of the extension member 21 directly opposite the detent-flange 35 I'may provide a second flange 45 having a laterallyprojecting rib or ledge 41 adapted for cooperation with the longitudinally-extending rib 38 on the base member 5. The length of the flange 46 is made slightly less than the distance between the end of the rib 38 and the end of the side wall II of the base member 5. This latter arrangement of the cooperating ledge 41 and rib 3B is not essential to the latching of the parts in folded relationship, being provided merely for double security.

In applying the bracelet to or removing it from the wrist the present improved clasp operates as next explained. The bracelet is placed on the wrist by passing it over the hand while the several sections 5, 6 and I of the clasp 2 are in extended relationship as illustrated in Fig. 2. Thereafter the parts 5 and 6 of the clasp are folded into overlying relationship and entered within the cover member I in the manner indi-. cated by dash lines in Fig. 3. It will be notedthat the intermediatemember 6 .fits intothe base mber 5; centrally between .theside walls. II

while the base member itself fits into the cover member between the edges of the inturned flanges 23 as clearly shown in Fig. 8.

It will be noted that when the articulated sections are folded into nested relationship the extension member 21 is withdrawn to its outermost position to permit the flange 45 thereon to enter the base member at one end of the rib or ledge 38 on the side Wall H After the clasp has been folded to closed position on the wrist the extension member 27 is slid into the cover member 1 of the clasp to draw the bracelet sections 3 and 4 snugly around the wrist. Due to the inclined arrangement of the detent-lugs 34 in the same direction in which the extension member is slid into the cover member 'Lor, in other Words, to the left as viewed in Fig. 2, th lugs act to cam the detent-flange 35 inwardly to permit the apertures 43 to slide by the lugs, see Fig. 7. After the apertures 43 in the detent-flange 35 have passed over the detent-lugs 34 the inherent resiliency of the spring-arm 41 causes the detent-flange to spring back and thereby engage its locking edges 45 with the locking shoulders 31 on the lugs to prevent retraction of the extension member outwardly of the clasp. Simultaneously with the engagement of the edges 45 with the locking shoulders 31 the locking edges 44 of the apertures 43 in the detent-flange 35 engage the locking shoulders 36 on the detent-lugs 34. The engagement of the locking edges 44 of the detentflange 35 with the locking shoulders 38 on the detent-lugs 34 thereby holds the extension member 27 and cover member 7 on which it is mounted in locking engagement with the bottom member 5. Thus the single pair of cooperating detent members 34 and 35 perform the double function of retaining the sections 5, 6 and I in folded nested relationship and retaining the extension member 21 in adjusted position.

As the extension member 21 is slid into the cover member I to adjust the length of the bracelet sections 3 and 4 the ledge 41 of the flange 45 moves into position underlying the rib 33 on the base member 5 to also act to retain the parts in folded nested relationship. Thus, the interengagement of the ledge 41 and rib 38 provides a second holding means for added security. It is to be noted that the engagement of the inclined shoulders 36 and 31 on the base member 5 with the edges 44 and 45 of the apertures 43 in the detent-flange 35 act to positively latch the parts thereby preventing accidental unfolding of the sections or release of the extension member 21 even Without the additional latching means as last described.

It is also to be noted that with the present construction of detents 34 and 35 the sections 5, 6 and '1 may be folded into overlying nested relationship with the extension member 27 in any position on the cover member 1. By pressing the base member 5 into the cover member 1 with the extension member 21 in any intermediate position thereon the inclined detent-lugs 34 engage the outer face of the detent-flange 35 and cam it inwardly, the resiliency of the spring-arm 41 of the extension member permitting such yielding movement of the detent-flange. After the apertures 43 in the detent-flange 35 have passed over the detent-lugs 34 the inherent resiliency of the spring-arm 4! causes the detent-flange to spring back and thereby engage the edges 44 and 45 of the apertures 43 with the latching shoulders 36 and 37 of the detent-lugs 34 as previously described. When a second flange 46 is provided on the spring-arm 42 of the extension member 27 its laterally-projecting rib or ledge 4'! is cammed inwardly by the rib 38 on the base member 5 in the same manner to permit it to slide thereover and thereafter engage the rib to provide an additional latching means.

To open the clasp 2 to remove the bracelet from the wrist the knob 39 of the finger-piece 28 is pressed inwardly to flex the spring-arm 4| of the extension member 21 whereby to release the edges 44 and 45 from engagement with the locking shoulders 36 and 31 on the detent-lugs 34. While the locking flange 35 is held out of engagement with the locking lugs 34 the extension member 27 may be slid outwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 5. The inner'end of the ledge 41 on the flange 46 is then spaced from the end of the rib 38 on the base member 5 which permits the base member and intermediate member 6 to be withdrawn from the cover member I and unfolded to extended position. The bracelet may then be removed readily over the hand.

It will be observed from the foregoing specification that the present invention provides an extensible clasp for wrist-watch bracelets and the like having a novel form of interlocking detents for holding the articulated sections in nested relationship and the extension member in adjusted position. It will be observed further that the present invention provides a clasp of simple and compact construction adapted for economical manufacture and one which may be easily and conveniently adjusted to fit the wrist of the wearer.

While the present improved device is herein illustrated in a preferred form of construction, it is to be understood that modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts of the clasp or connector without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch brace lets or the like comprising a base member having side flanges with an inclined detent-lug projecting from one of the flanges and a rib projecting from the other flange, an intermediate member, a cover member, said base member, intermediate member and cover member being pivotally connected to adapt them to be folded into overlying relationship, and an extension member slidable on the cover member and having a pair of depending detent-flanges engageable with the detent-lug and rib projecting from the flanges on the base member to retain the members in folded relationship.

2. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch bracelets or the like comprising a base member having side flanges with an inclined detent-lug projecting inwardly from one flange and a rib projecting inwardly from the other flange, said detentlug having locking shoulders arranged in angularly-related planes, an intermediate member, a cover member having side flanges with a rib on one flange and a slot in the other flange, and a bifurcated extension member slidable on the rib of the cover member at one side and having a finger-piece extending through the slot in the flange at the opposite side, depending detentflanges on the bifurcations of the extension member for cooperation with the detent-lug and rib on the base member to hold the members in folded relationship, one of said detent-flanges having a series of angularly-related locking shoulders for cooperation with the detent-lug to permit relative movement of the base member and extension member intwo directions while preventing their movement in opposite directions.

3. A clasp or connectorfor wrist-watch bracelets or the like comprising a plurality of articulated sections foldable into overlying nested relationship, a bifurcated extension member of resilient material slidable on one of the sections, a single set of cooperating detents formed as an integral part of the extension member and one of the sections, said cooperating detents being adapted to interengage to hold the extension member against sliding movement in one direction on the section on which it is mounted and operative to hold the plurality of sections in folded nested relationship, and a finger-piece projecting from the extension member through the section on which it is mounted and adapted for actuating the detent on the extension member to release it from engagement with the detent on the section.

4. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch bracelets or the like comprising a plurality of articulated sections foldable into overlying nested relationship, an extension member slidable on one of the sections, said extension member being bifurcated to provide opposite spring-arms, cooperating detents on one of the arms of the extension member and one of the sections, said detents being interengageable to hold the extension member in adjusted position on the section on which it is mounted and operative to hold the plurality of sections in folded nested relationship, and a finger-piece on the arm of the extension member carrying the detent, said finger-piece projecting through the section on which it is mounted and being manually-operable to release the detent on the extension member from engagement with the detent on the section.

5. A clasp or connector for Wrist-watch bracelets or the like comprising a plurality of articulated sections foldable into overlying nested relationship, a yieldable extension member slidable on one of the sections, and a pair of cooperating detents formed as an integral part of the extension member and one of the sections, said cooperating detents comprising a lug having looking shoulders in two angularly-related planes and a recessed flange providing angular shoulders corresponding to the angular shoulders on the lug, one of the said detents being adapted to yield to permit folding of the sections into nested relationship and sliding of the. extension member into the clasp while engaging the angular shoulders of the other detent to prevent unfolding of the sections or outward sliding movement of the extension member, and a finger-piece projecting from the yieldable extension member through the section on which it is mounted, said finger-piece being manually operable to release the detent on the extension member from engagement with the detent on the section.

6. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch bracelets or the like comprising a plurality of articulated sections foldable into overlying nested relationship, one of said sections having a triangularly-shaped detent-lug projecting therefrom and inclined inwardly from its base to its apex to provide locking shoulders arranged in angularly-related planes, and an extension member slidable on one of the sections and having a detent-flange with a series of angularly-related locking edges, said inclined detent-lug permitting the detent-flange to slide thereover when the sections-are folded into nested relationship-or the extension member is slid into the claspwhile" engaging one of the series of angularly-related locking edges on the flange to prevent unfold-- ing of the sections or outward movement of the extension member, and means for manually ac-,

tuating the detent-flange of the extension member to release its from engagement with the detent-lug on the section.

7. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch bracepermitting the detent-flange to slide thereover when the sections are folded into nested relationship or the extension member is slid into the clasp, one of said detent-lugs engaging the locking edges of the flange to prevent unfolding of the sections or outward movement of the extension member, and means for manually operating the detent-flange on the extension member to release it from engagement with the detent-lug on the section.

8. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch brace lets or the like comprising a plurality of articulated sections foldable into overlying nested relationship, one of said sections being of U-shape in cross-section and having a triangularlyshaped detent-lug projecting from. one side wall 7 thereof and inclined inwardly from its base to its apex to provide a pair of locking shoulders arranged in angularly-related planes, and an extension member slidably mounted on one of the sections, said extension member being constructed of resilient material and bifurcated to provide a spring-arm and said spring-arm having a detent-flange'with a series of angularly-related locking edges, said inwardly-inclined detent-lug acting to cam the detent-flange inwardly during the folding, of the articulated sections into nested relationship or the sliding of the extension member into the clasp and engageable with one of the series of edges on the detent-flange to prevent unfolding of the sections or movement of the extension member outwardly of the clasp, and means for actuating the detent-flange of the extension member to release it from engagement with the detent-lug on the section.

9. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch bracelets comprising a plurality of articulated sections foldable into overlying relationship, one of said sections having side flanges with a detentlug projecting from one of the flanges and a longitudinally extending rib projecting from the other flange, said detent-lug and rib on the section providing downwardly inclined cam faces on one side and latching shoulders on the opposite side, and a bifurcated extension member slidable on another section and providing a pair of spring-arms having detent-flanges engageable with the detent-lug and the rib projecting from the flanges of the section, said detent-lug and rib acting to cam the arms of the extension member inwardly toward each other to cause their detent-flanges to snap into engagement with the latching shoulders on. the section to retain the sections in folded nested relationship.

CHARLES KESTENMAN. 

